Articles | Volume 19, issue 11
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-19-3667-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-19-3667-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
04 Jun 2026
Research article |
| 04 Jun 2026
| 04 Jun 2026
CopterSonde-SWX: development of a UAS-based Vertical Atmospheric Profiler for severe weather
Cooperative Institute for Severe and High-Impact Weather Research and Operations, The University of Oklahoma, 120 David L. Boren Blvd., Norman, OK 73072, United States
NOAA/OAR National Severe Storm Laboratory, The University of Oklahoma, 120 David L. Boren Blvd., Norman, OK 73072, United States
Tyler M. Bell
NOAA/OAR National Severe Storm Laboratory, The University of Oklahoma, 120 David L. Boren Blvd., Norman, OK 73072, United States
Abdullah A. Tasim
Cooperative Institute for Severe and High-Impact Weather Research and Operations, The University of Oklahoma, 120 David L. Boren Blvd., Norman, OK 73072, United States
School of Engineering, The University of Oklahoma, 660 Parrington Oval, Norman, OK 73019, United States
Aaron Quiroz
Cooperative Institute for Severe and High-Impact Weather Research and Operations, The University of Oklahoma, 120 David L. Boren Blvd., Norman, OK 73072, United States
School of Meteorology, The University of Oklahoma, 660 Parrington Oval, Norman, OK 73019, United States
Jeremy D. Simms
Cooperative Institute for Severe and High-Impact Weather Research and Operations, The University of Oklahoma, 120 David L. Boren Blvd., Norman, OK 73072, United States
School of Meteorology, The University of Oklahoma, 660 Parrington Oval, Norman, OK 73019, United States
Joshua G. Gebauer
Cooperative Institute for Severe and High-Impact Weather Research and Operations, The University of Oklahoma, 120 David L. Boren Blvd., Norman, OK 73072, United States
NOAA/OAR National Severe Storm Laboratory, The University of Oklahoma, 120 David L. Boren Blvd., Norman, OK 73072, United States
Elizabeth N. Smith
NOAA/OAR National Severe Storm Laboratory, The University of Oklahoma, 120 David L. Boren Blvd., Norman, OK 73072, United States
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Short summary
Severe weather can change quickly, but routine weather measurements often miss important details near the ground. We built and tested CopterSonde-SWX, a small weather drone designed to collect vertical profiles in strong winds and measure temperature, humidity, and wind. Field tests showed it closely matched trusted instruments and handled stronger winds than earlier versions. This work supports future drone networks to improve storm monitoring, forecasting, and public safety.
Severe weather can change quickly, but routine weather measurements often miss important details...
